Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw needs season-ending knee surgery

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw, one of the best blindside blockers in the NFL, will require season-ending surgery to repair two damaged ligaments in his left knee, coach Kevin O’Connell said in a video news conference on Friday.

Darrisaw sustained injuries to his ACL and MCL when he was hit from behind by a Rams defender tackling running back Aaron Jones just before halftime of the Vikings’ 30-20 loss on Thursday night. The Vikings placed Darrisaw on injured reserve Friday and activated tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is expected to make his season debut Nov. 3 against the Colts. About 10 months ago, Hockenson also sustained a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.

Darrisaw is “still going to be a significant player in regards to his leadership and his presence within our building and around our team,” O’Connell said. “He knows that. I think he’s got the mindset, once this thing’s fixed surgically and he can start attacking something on a daily basis.”

The Vikings will have to find a way forward without a franchise cornerstone. Darrisaw, a 2021 first-round pick, was rewarded with a four-year, $76 million contract in July, when the front office turned to him after completing receiver Justin Jefferson’s mega contract in June.

David Quessenberry, a 34-year-old journeyman initially signed before last season, replaced Darrisaw for the rest of Thursday’s loss.

But O’Connell said the team is discussing potential changes on the offensive line. The Vikings could acquire another left tackle ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5. Or coaches could move left guard Blake Brandel, the former Oregon St. left tackle who started three games for Darrisaw in 2022, and put Dalton Risner at left guard, where he started 11 games last season.

“Those conversations are going on as we speak,” O’Connell said Friday afternoon. “We’ll figure out what the best plan of attack is moving forward, and I do think there are multiple options on the table with that. That’s what we’ve got to figure out.”

Risner, who has been out with a back injury since August, ramped up to full practices earlier this week; he first practiced on Oct. 14.

“I’m glad he’s healthy,” O’Connell said, “and is definitely going to be part of the conversation.”

After the game Thursday night, right tackle Brian O’Neill was among many players coming to terms with what happened.

“Anytime you lose one of the best players at his position in the NFL for any period of time, even if it’s just a half, that will be felt,” O’Neill said in the visitor’s locker room at SoFi Stadium. “We’re going to have to lift him up. He knows he’s got a lot of support here. He knows he’s going to be a really good player for a long time here. Just thinking about him and praying for him right now.”

Regarding the play in which Darrisaw was injured, O’Connell explained his decision to call a run instead of a pass with 35 seconds before halftime from the Vikings’ 3-yard line. They had three timeouts available.

“Sean [McVay] still had the one timeout left,” O’Connell said. “We ended up backed up in that situation. They had [six defensive backs] on the field, so [I] thought we could maybe pop a run ... and then maybe take a timeout, reset, and try to get a couple chunks. We’ve got a kicker that can hit it from a long way away.”

Hockenson practiced with only limited reps throughout the 21-day practice window, which expired Friday, while he was on the physically unable to perform list. But he’ll get a fourth week of practice before making his return.

The 27-year-old Pro Bowler has lauded the Vikings training staff for guiding his recovery.

“It’s healed,” Hockenson said of his right knee on Oct. 17. “It’s stronger than ever, from tests when I was healthy last year to tests now. It’s stronger than it’s probably ever been. Now it’s just going out there and playing ball. I’ve passed every test by miles from where my ground base[line] was. I’m bigger, stronger, faster than ever. Now it’s just getting ready to go out there and play ball.”